Garnish Island (originally known as Ilnacullin, ‘Isle of the Holly’) is situated in the Glengarriff inlet in Bantry Bay, Co. Cork. The island is famous for its horticulture but is also home to several beautiful pieces of garden architecture. The island was owned by John Annan Bryce and his wife Violet (née L’Estrange) who purchased the island from the War Office in 1910. The Bryce’s along with Harold Peto, an acclaimed architect and garden designer, planted and constructed the island as it is seen today. Garnish is well sheltered due to an ingenious plan of creating shelterbelts that help to protect the island from strong winds and also the warming gulf stream.

One of the finest buildings on the island is the Italianate in style freestanding three bay double-height teahouse, built in 1915. It has attractive sandstone colonnades extending from the north and south entrances, with an Italian terraced garden to its west. On the furthermost west end of the island stands a Grecian style hexagonal garden temple built at the same time as the tea house. It is constructed with Doric Columns and provides beautiful views of the Caha Mountains back on the mainland. Built at the very beginning of the Bryce’s ownership and the most popular ‘couple’s selfie spot’ on the island is the Venetian style square-plan pavilion with rose marble Ionic columns, with a flight of steps to its east and a marble balustrade to its west. The walled garden is another beautiful section of the island with a fine clock tower built into its walls. Predating all of the buildings on the Martello Tower that was built in 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. From both an architectural and horticultural aspects a visit to Garnish is highly recommended if in the area around Bantry.

GPS: 51.73627, -9.54481